Konnichiwa!

The ‘To the Forest of Verbs with “MUJI IS”’ exhibition was extremely successful and came to a close at the end of July. It was a delight to have hosted it at JCC for over a month, welcoming throngs of visitors every week to our serene space at the edge of the bustling Orchard area. As you may already know, JCC was the first overseas venue for the exhibition. I am pleased to share that it will be exhibiting at Malaysia next, and in other countries afterwards. MUJI’s design philosophy is most inspiring, and the exhibition is a great way for more people to appreciate its simple-looking...(Click here to read more)

Japanese Speech Contest 2022

On 17 July, Ambassador Jun Yamazaki attended the Japanese Speech Contest 2022, which took place at the Japanese Association Singapore. 20 finalists in the Secondary School, Junior College, Tertiary and Open Categories gave speeches in Japanese. All the guests, including the Guest of Honor Mr Lim Kok Kiang, Principal and CEO of Ngee Ann Polytechnic, were impressed by both the content and the delivery of the speeches..(Click here to read more)

JET Farewell & Orientation Event

The Embassy of Japan in Singapore held a physical Farewell and Orientation Event for the newly appointed participants of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme on Friday, 22 July 2022 at the Japan Creative Centre (JCC). His Excellency Ambassador Jun Yamazaki attended the event and congratulated the 16 new JETs from Singapore who will be joining the Programme this year. Since its inception in 1987, the JET programme...(Click here to read more)

Rikuzentakata: Reflecting on 11 Years of Recovery

On 2 August, H.E. Ambassador Jun Yamazaki and Rikuzentakata City Mayor, Mr. Futoshi Toba, hosted an exclusive reception, “Rikuzentakata: Reflecting on 11 Years of Recovery” at Japan Creative Centre (JCC). Participants celebrated the special and close relationship between Rikuzentakata and Singapore. The friendship was catalyzed by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, which led to the people of Singapore...(Click here to read more)

FIBA3x3 ASIA CUP 2022

The FIBA3x3 ASIA CUP 2022 was held at the Event Plaza of Marina Bay Sands from July 6-10. 3x3 is a form of basketball with origins from the streets and is characterised by its fast-pacing. It became the official Olympic sport from Tokyo 2020. This year, a record 53 teams (men’s and women’s) representing 30 countries from Asia/Oceania region competing against one another for glory. On 8 July, Japanese women’s team faced Singapore. We hope that...(Click here to read more)

Visit by SOTA students to ‘To the Forest of Verbs with “MUJI IS”’

About 70 third year students from the School of the Arts, Singapore (SOTA)’s Visual Arts Faculty visited JCC (Japan Creative Centre) on Friday, 22 July for MUJI’s exhibition, To the Forest of Verbs with "MUJI IS". The students learnt about the philosophy, design, and development of MUJI and their products since its establishment through a guided tour around the exhibition by Mr. Katsushi Onishi, Managing Director of MUJI Singapore...(Click here to read more)

Ambassador's Visit to 'Flower Obsession: Plant Collecting in East Asia, 1600-1900s'

On 28 July, H.E. Ambassador Jun Yamazaki visited the Botanic Art Gallery at the Singapore Botanic Gardens (Gallop Extension) to see the exhibition “Flower Obsession: Plant Collecting in East Asia, 1600-1900s.” The exhibition features around 100 artworks dating back to the late 1600s from Higashiyama Botanical Gardens and the private Soukaen Bunko in Nagoya, Japan...(Click here to read more)

Visit by Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology students

Students of Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology and Professor Toshiaki Komatsu visited JCC on Tuesday, 2 August 2022 and were welcomed by Second Secretary Ms Mai Hanawa and Event Team Manager Mdm Keiko Soeda. They had an introduction about Singapore, the local Japanese community, as well as the activities of Embassy of Japan in Singapore...(Click here to read more)

Lasting Ties Between Rikuzentakata and Singapore

It has been 11 years since the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, in which Rikuzentakata City lost approximately 8% of its population and 80% of its residential areas. The city was one of the areas that was most devastated by the disaster. Previously, there were over 70,000 pine trees along the Rikuzentakata coast, and this stunning coastal forest was known as Takata Matsubara (Takata Pine Grove). The tsunami swept away all but...(Click here to read more)

The Boom of Yuru Kyara

Being the birthplace of the famous cat mascot Hello Kitty, Japan is no stranger to cute characters. In fact, you may notice the strong presence of adorable and unique mascots when you visit any region of Japan, known as “yuru kyara”. The term was coined by illustrator Jun Miura, with “yuru” meaning “loose” which paints a gentle and laidback image, and “kyara” deriving from the loanword for “character”. According to Jun Miura, a yuru kyara...(Click here to read more)

Firework Displays

From late July to late August, fireworks displays are held in various parts of the country. This is a tradition that goes back several centuries in Japan. Watching the burst of colors against the nighttime sky can make Japan's hot, humid summers seem more tolerable.

Fireworks are something kids look forward to as a highlight of their summer vacation. Fireworks are hand-made by artisans, who devote most of the year to preparing for the summertime pageantry.

Fireworks first reached Japan's shores in the late sixteenth century...(Click here to read more)